Multiple Sclerosis in Movies and TV

Multiple Sclerosis in Movies and TV

Over and over again, the plots of movies and TV shows are portrayed by fame and glamour. However, occasionally, storylines relating to severe medical conditions appear on the screen as well.

Over and over again, the plots of movies and TV shows are portrayed by fame and glamour. However, occasionally, storylines relating to severe medical conditions appear on the screen as well. Some characters with a disease are based on real individuals, while others are completely made up. In today’s day and age, the most powerful thing about television and other media is that these sources can educate the public about particular medical conditions, including multiple sclerosis (MS). Individuals can gain a better understanding of how MS affects the nervous system, what symptoms it triggers, as well as how each individual is affected by the disease. Below is a list of famous movies, documentaries, and TV shows that feature MS and show what it is like to cope with the condition.

Living Proof

Living Proof is a 2017 documentary that questions the interests of academia, pharmaceutical companies, the government, and MS charities in MS awareness. In 1995 at the age of 19, Canadian filmmaker Matt Embry was diagnosed with MS. His father, a research scientist by the name of Aston Embry, turned his attention towards finding the best treatment available for his son. His research led to Matt’s most recent treatment plan, including a specific diet, an exercise program, and supplements to help cope with his MS. The documentary includes interviews with numerous individuals who have MS as Matt strives to examine the politics of MS.

When I Walk

When I Walk is a 2013 documentary written and directed by Jason DaSilva. In 2005 at the age of 25, writer, producer, and director Jason DaSilva was diagnosed with MS. The documentary follows his life over the course of quite a few years, revealing to the public what it is like to live with and cope with the various challenges of MS, including losing the ability to walk. In 2015, the documentary won an Emmy for Outstanding Informational Programming Long Form.

Coronation Street

Coronation Street, a long-running British soap opera, portrays various aspects of TV drama, including affairs, pregnancies out of wedlock, wrongful incarceration, drug abuse, and murder. In 2017, the TV show did something completely different when one of the characters, Johnny Connor, received an MS diagnosis. Connor struggles to keep his MS from his family, including his daughter and fiancé. Eventually, he admits the truth, but only the show’s writers can reveal what happens afterwards.

The Circle

The Circle is a 2017 Sci-fi/thriller that examines the life of Mae Holland, a young woman who takes a job with a powerful technology and social media corporation called ‘The Circle’. The Circle keeps records of employees’ social, medical, financial, and personal information and one thing that is revealed by Mae’s colleagues is that her father, Vinnie, has MS. As the role of Vinnie, portrayed by Bill Paxton, the movie’s producer said that Paxton “transformed himself … it was a remarkable thing to see.”

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